On-demand knife grinding system boosts forage harvester efficiency
CLAAS has unveiled a new operator assistance system for its JAGUAR 900 and 900 TERRA TRAC forage harvesters ahead of Agritechnica 2025. The system, Cemos Auto Knife Condition, monitors knife wear on the chopping cylinder and enables on-demand grinding, ensuring consistent cutting quality while optimising wear and fuel consumption.
The system uses two reluctance sensors that scan the entire knife width via a static magnetic field. Mounted above the crop channel, the sensors operate outside the crop flow, allowing accurate knife monitoring in real time.
Operators can set the desired degree of sharpening and grinding strategy via the CEBIS terminal in the cab. The system alerts the operator when knives require grinding, meaning maintenance is performed only when necessary. This allows for earlier intervention under abrasive conditions and less frequent grinding during normal operations, improving efficiency and extending knife life.
Key benefits for contractors and operators:
- Cutting quality and forage consistency maintained at all times
- Optimised fuel consumption and reduced unnecessary grinding
- Extended knife service life
- Area-specific documentation of knife wear through CLAAS connect
- Transparent cost reporting for clients and improved process planning
“CEMOS AUTO KNIFE CONDITION is the first production-ready assistance system to monitor knife wear on forage harvesters,” said CLAAS. “It keeps harvesting quality consistently high and allows operators to manage wear proactively, boosting efficiency in the field.”
The system also allows geo-referenced knife wear tracking via CLAAS connect, providing data to optimise upstream processes and document wear costs for customers.
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